Safety and Security Officer

Safety and Security Officer


Posted on 9/3/2026


Accepting applications


About this position


The Safety and Security Officer is a safety-sensitive position which performs safety, loss prevention, parking and traffic control duties within an assigned area of the campus and conducts regular vehicular and foot patrols while responding to emergency situations as appropriate. The Safety Officer enforces campus parking and traffic regulations, provides directions and information, and renders assistance to students, faculty, staff and visitors to campus. The Safety Officer is instrumental in crime and theft prevention/reduction through active community policing efforts which include, but are not limited to making building visits and having positive interaction with the general student, faculty, and staff population.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

1. Provide basic security and protection over persons and various college buildings and/or property, which may include specific location or building. Note: an official law enforcement officer must handle situations that require the restraint and /or arrest of individuals.
2. Respond to emergencies by assessing the situation, employing tact diplomacy and individual judgment in order to remedy and/or maintain control.
3. Provide security coverage for College events ensuring availability during key special event programs such as commencement ceremonies, student move-in weekends, Mayfaire weekend, Board of Trustee meeting weeks and other major campus activities requiring heightened security presence.
4. Deter individuals attempting to impose physical harm to self, others or commit criminal acts.
5. Observe and report faulty and/or unsafe utility equipment within the College.
6. Complete necessary administrative forms/reports related to routine incidents that occur including the collection of information from participants and/or witnesses.
7. Provide crowd and/or traffic control during scheduled activities or during emergency situations as necessary.
8. Provide emergency First Aid and/or CPR to injured persons, or assist in the transportation of ill or injured persons when necessary.
9. Provide basic information, directions and other information to FSC personnel, students and/or the general public.
10. Occasionally assist higher-level authorities to conduct fact-finding investigations or specific projects.
11. Occasionally appear in court regarding various incidents that occur within the college community as necessary.
12. Admit authorized personnel into locked buildings after hours.
13. Maintain regular radio contact with the Safety Dispatcher to advise of unusual situations and request backup when necessary.
14. Attend appropriate internal and/or external classes; seminars and training sessions to further develop protective services skills and knowledge (e.g. emergency situation assessment and response, etc.).
15. Maintains strict adherence to the Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Act, FERPA and other applicable laws and regulations.
16. Contribute to the success of the department by performing all other duties as needed (e.g. Communications, Transportation, ect.) to drive the vision, fulfill the mission, and abide by the values of the College.

About our ideal candidate


EDUCATION, WORK EXPERIENCE AND REQUIREMENTS

1. High school graduation or an equivalent combination of training and experience is necessary.
2. Must possess and maintain a valid and clear Florida driver's license.
3. 1-2 years prior experience in security, law enforcement, or related roles is preferred.
4. Must be able to follow directions and react quickly during emergency situations.
5. Must be able to speak clearly over a two-way radio and be understood by other members of the staff.
6. Must be able to work effectively and courteously with diverse groups of visitors and staff.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The Safety and Security Officer position requires the ability to perform a wide range of physical activities while protecting the campus community and responding to routine and emergency situations. The position requires frequent standing, walking, and patrolling campus grounds and buildings for extended periods, including traversing uneven terrain, climbing stairs, and entering multiple facilities throughout the workday. Duties require the ability to bend, stoop, kneel, crouch, reach, and occasionally climb while conducting inspections, investigations, unlocking buildings, or responding to incidents. The employee must be able to lift, carry, push, or pull equipment, traffic control devices, or other materials weighing up to 50 pounds, with occasional heavier lifting performed with assistance or appropriate equipment. The position requires sufficient visual acuity, hearing, manual dexterity, and physical agility to observe surroundings, operate vehicles, communicate by radio and telephone, monitor security systems, prepare reports, and respond quickly and effectively to emergencies. The employee must be capable of safely operating a patrol vehicle and may be required to run short distances, assist individuals in need, direct traffic, or provide basic emergency assistance until first responders arrive. The position requires the ability to remain alert, exercise sound judgment, and perform effectively under stressful and potentially hazardous conditions.

The Safety Officer position is designated as a safety-sensitive role due to its direct responsibility for the protection of students, employees, visitors, and campus property. This position requires constant vigilance, sound judgment, and the ability to respond effectively to emergencies and safety-related incidents. As such, employees in this role must be able to perform their duties unimpaired at all times. Active impairment, whether due to alcohol, drugs (including misuse of prescription medications), or any other substance or condition that diminishes alertness or judgment, is strictly prohibited while on duty and will result in disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment.

WORKING CONDITIONS

The Safety and Security Officer works in a dynamic, campus-wide environment that includes both indoor and outdoor settings across academic buildings, residence halls, administrative offices, parking areas, athletic facilities, and other campus properties. The position involves routine patrols on foot and by vehicle and requires regular exposure to varying weather conditions, including heat, cold, rain, and nighttime conditions. The officer frequently interacts with students, employees, visitors, contractors, and members of the public, as well as local law enforcement, fire, and emergency medical personnel. The work environment can be fast-paced and may involve exposure to stressful, unpredictable, or potentially hazardous situations, including emergencies, disturbances, accidents, and security incidents requiring immediate response and sound judgment. The position may require shift work, including evenings, overnights, weekends, holidays, and extended hours during special events, emergencies, or campus operational needs. The officer is expected to maintain a high level of situational awareness, professionalism, and adherence to established policies and procedures while operating in both routine and high-pressure conditions. Use of radios, mobile devices, surveillance systems, and other security technologies is frequent and essential to daily operations.

Must be available to work on designated special events and high-priority days as determined by campus administration. This includes but is not limited to commencement ceremonies, student move-in weekends, Mayfaire weekend, Board of Trustee meeting weeks and other major campus activities requiring heightened security presence.

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT

This position may require the use of employer-provided personal protective equipment, including but not limited to high-visibility safety vests, gloves, protective eyewear, face coverings, weather-appropriate protective gear, and other equipment as required by campus policy, OSHA standards, or incident-specific conditions. PPE use may be required during patrol operations, traffic control, emergency response, accident or incident scenes, hazardous material awareness situations, severe weather events, or other circumstances where safety conditions warrant additional protection. The employee is expected to comply with all applicable safety procedures and training regarding PPE use and maintenance.

Campus Safety officers are not law enforcement officers and do not carry guns.

About us


The College's health and wellness plans along with generous paid time-off benefits are in addition to rewarding employee benefits such as the tuition grant and 403(b) plan.


The employee tuition grant is a remarkable benefit that covers the cost of 100% of the College's tuition for dependent children of faculty and staff who have been employed with the college fulltime for one year. Employees can also take advantage of the benefit for themselves.


The Defined Contribution Retirement Plan is a 403(b) plan in which the college automatically contributes 7% of the eligible employee's earnings into a retirement fund whether the employee chooses to participate or not. The account has a comprehensive investment portfolio and allows the employee to control their investment choices. At 6 years of service, the employer contribution amount is elevated to 10%. Employees can choose to participate through pre-tax payroll deductions when ready!

Florida Southern College is committed to diversity and inclusion in hiring, campus life, and intellectual engagement and welcomes applications from all interested candidates. The college actively seeks a wide variety of candidates and enthusiastically looks to diversify our workforce.

Florida Southern College has a strong commitment to the principles of equal employment opportunity. The college recruits, hires, trains, transfers, promotes and compensates individuals and makes all personnel decisions without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, national origin or ancestry, marital status, veteran status, or physical or mental disability unrelated to an individual's ability to perform the job, in accordance with applicable law.

As the oldest private college in Florida, Florida Southern College is a nationally recognized liberal arts institution located in Lakeland, enrolling approximately 3,500 students across more than 70 undergraduate and graduate programs. The College is known for its strong student-to-faculty ratio and its emphasis on engaged learning, providing students with hands-on experiences that prepare them for meaningful careers and lives of leadership and service. Florida Southern is home to the world's largest single-site collection of Frank Lloyd Wright architecture and competes in NCAA Division II athletics, with a distinguished record of national championships. Consistently ranked among the top regional institutions in the South by U.S. News & World Report and recognized by The Princeton Review, Florida Southern equips students to lead lives of positive and consequential impact through dynamic, engaged learning in its iconic setting and beyond.

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